John the Baptist

John the Baptists' life parallels Jesus Christ's life. John had a miraculous birth announced by the Angel Gabriel, Luke 1. John had a Violent death, Matthew 14 & Mark 6. John & Jesus lived about the same amount of time, 33 years.

I. A Witness of the Light
John recognized the Light. He was the forerunner of Christ. He was from the tribe of Levi, a cousin of the Lord. It was his job to introduce Jesus as the Lamb of God. It was John who had the honor of baptizing Christ at the Jordan.

John 1:6 - 8, 35 & 36 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

II. The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness
If John were alive today, his preaching would be considered dogmatic. His message was “Repent, The Lord is coming”. People then didn't expect the Lord to come, but He did. People now don't expect the Lord to come, but He is.

Mark 1:2 - 4 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

III. The Last & Greatest Prophet
John was the end of the Old Testament, the end of the Law. His birth was like that of Samuel. His life was that us of Elijah. He was killed for telling the truth, for preaching against sin. It wasn't popular back then to tell the king that he is committing adultery. Christians today turn their eyes to the behavior of the president or simply call it fake news. In the end, John head was given as payment for a dance.

Luke 7:24 -28 ..., What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist:

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